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Mary Jane Cardwell
NEW RICHMOND, Wisc. (June 13) - The National Late Model Series thundered into Douglas Motor Speedway in Douglas, Georgia for a two-day show June 12-13, 2009. The track is currently under the management of long-time Series friend Lonnie Roberts & Associates. The track and facilities were excellent on this extremely hot weekend in June.
Qualifying went off without a hitch, though it began later than planned due to the excessive heat. Most drivers ran in the low 20s, though many did break into the 19s. Russell Brown, Jr. ran in the low 19s and managed to hold onto the Heat 1 pole position and was the Vital Signs Fastest Qualifier and the recipient of a good size prize from Vital Signs and others who chipped in to make the pot big.
Qualifying times set the four heats that were to have been run on Friday night. But half-way through the first heat, Mother Nature dropped showers and ended the evening. Saturday brought more threats of rain, but slightly cooler temperatures allowed racing to begin earlier. Drivers were strategizing on where they wanted to finish their heat in order to be successful with top six inversion to come.
Heat 1 picked up right where they left off - Lap 5 of the 8 laps. It did not take long for Russell Brown to make short order of the remainder of the field and win the first heat. Mark Whitener finished second, securing his place on the outside of the front row for the feature event. Completing the remainder of Heat 1 were new-comer Cole Exum, ole-timer Wayne Shugart, Cary Corbin, Adam Giles and Jeffrey Baggett.
Heat 2 would determine the pole position for the feature and with two good drivers on the front row for this Heat, each was planning to try and claim the spot. Joining Brandon DeWitt (pole) and Cale Simons (outside front row) were Eric Register, Justin Weeks, Mallory Harvey, Kitt Sealy and Brandon Cameron. Point leader Cameron had face adversity and replaced engines and whatever was needed in order to make the heat and thus the feature. DeWitt and Simons raced the first seven laps hard, but clean, each knowing one would be on the pole if they did not tear each other apart. DeWitt held on to win this heat and Simons came in second, claiming the feature pole position.
Heat 3 found Bo Allen on the pole with Ivedent Lloyd on the outside. Now, the winner would start the feature fourth. Ivedent Lloyd, racing his own late model, took an early lead and never looked back, keeping not only Allen in his rear-view mirror but also Robbie Cowart, Houston Joiner, John Greene and Chuck Chitty.
Jason Fitzgerald was on the pole for Heat 4 and needed to win the Heat in order to begin the race in third. With Johnny Collins and Dillon Wood right next to him, he had his work cut out for him. They also ran with Kyle Bridges, Charles Sealy and Chris Davis. Fitzgerald met his challenge, never looking back as he made quick work of the final 8-lap feature and secured his third place feature start.
With the feature field finally set after the top-six inversion, Cale Simons was on the pole. Mark Whitener was on the outside pole. The second row had Jason Fitzgerald and Ivedent Lloyd. On the third row were Brandon DeWitt and Russell Brown. Though Simons had his hands full, the feature promised to be an excellent race and a great show for the full stands.
Excitement was high as the Series drivers and fans readied for the feature. Following driver introductions, drivers entered their cars, fastened their safety equipment and began warming up to green. When the green flag dropped, Simons ran as hard as he could, but Whitener was just a bit faster. He jumped to an early lead, but Fitzgerald was also trying to make a move and slid into mud at the bottom of the track which catapulted him up the track into Simons. Once he moved back and Simons returned to his spot, racing began in earnest, with Whitener leading the pack as they peeled off the laps. During the early laps, several cars found their problems and had to leave the track for broken engines and rear ends.
As racing continued, Lloyd also held his on and stayed close to Simons, readying to make his move. Shortly past the half-way point, Lloyd passed Simons and aimed for Whitener. With less than 5 laps remaining, Whitener's engine was heard fluttering between Turns 3 and 4 and Lloyd took advantage of the situation, passing Whitener and never looking back, winning the feature at Douglas Motor Speedway. Whitener was able to hold on to second and Simons held on to third for a great finish to the two-day race event.
Next up for the Series, July 4th Extravaganza at Golden Isles Speedway. See ya' at the track.
1 Ivedent Lloyd, Jr. 100
2 Mark Whitener 99
3 Cale Simons 98
4 Johnny Collins 97
5 Russell Brown, Jr. 96
6 Brandon DeWitt 95
7 Bo Allen 94
8 Dillon Wood 93
9 Brandon Cameron 92
10 Jason Fitzgerald 91
11 Robbie Cowart 90
12 Mallory Harvey 89
13 Adam Giles 88
14 Chuck Chitty 87
15 Kyle Bridges 86
16 Charles Sealy 85
17 Wayne Shugart 84
18 Eric Register 83
19 Houston Joiner 82
20 Kitt Sealy 81
21 Cole Exum 80
22 John Greene 79
23 Jeffrey Baggett 78
24 Chris Davis 77
25 Cary Corbin 76
26 Justin Weeks 7
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